Evropski ekonomsko-socialni odbor
The European Union is not only a common market, it is an union of common values that shape the European identity. These values include the rights, freedoms and principles laid out in the Charter of Fundamental Rights: the "indivisible, universal values of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity; [the Union] is based on the principles of democracy and the rule of law. It places the individual at the heart of its activities, by establishing the citizenship of the Union ....
A delegation of the EESC permanent Study Group on Disability Rights, composed by Ioannis Vardakastanis (Group III), Bernard Noël (Group II) and Dare Stojan (Group I), visited Greece from 12-14 October, accompanied by the Director of the European Disability Forum, Catherine Naughton, and supported by Valeria Atzori from the Secretariat and Maria Kampouri from National Confederation of Disabled People in Greece (NCDP). The aim of the visit, which was organized with the help of NCDP Greece, was to evaluate the situation of refugees and other migrants with disabilities in the reception structures of Lesbos and Athens ...
The EESC Workers' Group was honoured to welcome Tim Roache, General Secretary of the GMB, the UK's third largest trade union, at its Group meeting on 19 October. Mr Roache and the Workers' Group members discussed the issues around the UK referendum vote to leave the EU and the trade union strategy for securing the best outcome for working people during the exit negotiations.
Today the European Economic and Social Committee's plenary assembly welcomed Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for research, science and innovation, for a debate on Horizon 2020, the EU's most ambitious programme for research and innovation ever, intended to provide approximately 80 billion euros-worth in funding to European R&I projects over the 2014-2020 period.
The fight against money laundering, corruption, fraud and tax evasion and other similar crimes must be reinforced by strengthening the means available for it. To this purpose, a closer cooperation among intelligence and security services of Member States must be ensured, in order to tackle money laundering, terrorism and its funding.
The current H2020 FP has introduced substantial innovations with respect to structure, leaving more space for influence and synergies with industry and Member States through various forms of PPP to support sectors vital for the economy.
Given that 120 million people are transported by domestic passenger ships every year, the EU legislation on passenger ship safety is very important.
The European Economic and Social Committee, in cooperation with the Economic and Social Council of Greece, is organising its yearly Euro-Mediterranean Summit of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions on 24 and 25 October in Vravrona, Greece.
The Summit aims to promote greater understanding of the main issues affecting organised civil society in the Euromed region and to discuss the common challenges they face in order to propose concrete solutions.
On 12 October, Georges Dassis, President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), was for the first time in Portugal in this quality, to attend the 25th anniversary of the Portuguese Economic and Social Council (CES), in Lisbon.
The event started with an opening speech by the President of the Portuguese CES, Luís Filipe Pereira, and had the special participation of the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
The global urban agenda was adopted in the course of the UN Habitat III meeting in Quito where Mr Joost van IERSEL, ECO president, Mr Roman HAKEN, ECO Vice-President, and Mr Stefano PALMIERI, EESC Member, were part of the official EU delegation.
